Essa Suleiman, 45, has denied attempted murder over a knife rampage in north London that left two Jewish men injured. He appeared at the Old Bailey via video link on Friday and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Suleiman is accused of targeting Shloime Rand, 34, and Norman Shine, 76, in Golders Green on Wednesday April 29. Before travelling to the area, he allegedly attacked his friend of 20 years, Ishmail Hussein, at his home in Southwark, south London.
Charges and court appearance
The Somalia-born defendant faces three counts of attempted murder and one count of possessing a black-handled knife in a public place. He entered not guilty pleas to all charges.
A trial has been scheduled to begin at the Old Bailey on March 1 2027.
Details of the alleged attacks
The court previously heard that Suleiman first attacked Mr Hussein at his home before travelling by public transport to Golders Green, where he allegedly attacked two people.
Deanna Heer KC told an earlier hearing that both victims were “obviously members of the orthodox Jewish community by the way they were dressed at the time”.
Mr Rand had been studying at a synagogue in Highfield Avenue when he was allegedly stabbed once in the chest. Suleiman is then accused of attacking Mr Shine, who sustained multiple stab wounds and was taken to hospital.
Intervention and arrest
The incident ended when another member of the public intervened to try to disarm the defendant and take the knife from him. Emergency services then arrived at the scene.
